Potential of laponite incorporated oxidized alginate-gelatin (ADA-GEL) composite hydrogels for extrusion-based 3D printing

The concept of adding inorganic fillers into hydrogels to form hydrogel nanocomposites often provides advantageous properties which can be exploited for successful 3D biofabrication. In this study, a new composite hydrogel combining oxidized alginate-gelatin (ADA-GEL) hydrogel and laponite nanoclay as inorganic nanofiller was successfully developed and characterized. The results showed that the addition of 0.5% (wt/vol) laponite nanoplatelets improved the printability of ADA-GEL hydrogels enabling the fabrication of detailed structures since a low effect of material spreading and reduced tendency to pore closure appeared. Furthermore, a comparison of different needle types (cylindrical and conical; same inner diameter of 250 mu m) in filament fusion test showed that the pattern dispensed by cylindrical tip has enhanced printing accuracy and pattern fidelity when compared with the pattern from conical tip. A glass flip test determined a processing window of 1-2 h after composite ink preparation. Overall, laponite/ADA-GEL hydrogel composites are confirmed as promising inks for 3D bioprinting.

Automated summary

A new composite hydrogel combining oxidized alginate-gelatin (ADA-GEL) hydrogel and laponite nanoclay was successfully developed and characterized in this study. The addition of 0.5% laponite nanoplatelets improved the printability of ADA-GEL hydrogels. Different needle types (cylindrical and conical) were compared in filament fusion test, showing enhanced printing accuracy with a cylindrical tip. A glass flip test determined a processing window of 1-2 hours after composite ink preparation, confirming laponite/ADA-GEL hydrogel composites as promising inks for 3D bioprinting.